Terry’s POV“Sweets, how long has Diamond been quiet?” I ask her, seeing fear in her eyes.“Oden hasn’t been able to talk to her since we came back from Napa,” Zeus answers.“I am strong enough without my damn Lycan,” Mia snarls.“No, you are not,” I tell her. “Mia, look at me. What is going on? The door is closed, it's you, me, Zeus, and Athena. What the hell is going on?”“She will not talk to me. She wants me to surrender, apologize, and make amends,” Mia sits down.“She wants you to join AA?” Athena jokes, before leaning on the desk next to me, facing Mia. “Mia, she is holding you hostage. She is acting the way a Queen should and she is wanting you to act the same.”“This isn’t her first protest either, is it?” I ask.Mia shakes her head.“The Lycans will sense this. We need to find a way to awaken her,” Athena says.“I don’t know what I can do,” Mia sighs.“I got you babe,” Athena winks and disappears.“Where is she going?” Mia asks.“I stopped asking questions about why she does

Mia’s POV “My Queen, what has changed in you?” Chanticleer, the new Werecat councilman, asks.“The contest, which was never finished because neither the Werebears, or the Werecats wanted to take the throne. But upon reflection, my sister-in-law's kidnapping, and discussions with family, I can see where in my youth and haste to prove myself, I made a few errors in judgement. As my father taught me, I can correct my mistakes. This is my wish,” I tell him. Leaving out that I want the kingdom to stop wanting my brothers and Amanda to take over.“Whatever the change, the kingdom rejoices,” Trevor, our youngest member and a Lycan, smiles at me.Zeus doesn’t like him smiling the way he is and coughs to my right. “Forgive me, King Zeus.”I try not to laugh.“I think the Queen’s realizations are what we all needed. And whatever brought on the change, I applaud it,” Uncle Tyler winks at me.Trevor looks confused at Zues’s silence.“You do know she is his niece, right?” Zeus asks Trevor,

Amanda’s POVApril 28th, 2019 (Six years on the run)“So, everyone is coming here?” I ask Terry.“Yes, then we will be leaving here,” Terry tells me, packing up the Living space.“At least we will all be together for the boys' birthday. What about the girls?” I ask.“My mother is hosting me, the girls and Dalton, if you approve,” Crystal tells me.“You aren’t worried being that close to the palace?” I ask.“WOW, and we were worried the part about Dalton and her being alone would be the thing that worried you,” Athena laughs.“Oh, that is my next concern, but right now, my concern is the girls' welfare. They may be my stepchildren, but I love them like they are my own.” I tell them.“Thank you,” Crystal hugs me. “I promise you, I won't touch Dalton. And believe me, as in love with you as he is, you don’t have worry about him touching me.”“Thank you,” I tell her. Over the past six years we have become very close. More like sisters.“Zeus is coming, but Mia is not. Evie and Adam are lea

Amanda’s POV“Amanda?” Athena grabs me as I fall. “Colton, I feel it, he,” I can’t say I just let the tears fall. I can see the lost register on Evie and Adam as well. “This can’t be happening,” Crystal says shocked.“Mommy?” Merrick comes into my arms. I cling to the last piece of Colton I have, our son. A second wave of pain hits me and I realize Apollo is hurt, but not dead. “Apollo is hurt but healing,” I say pulling my strength from my son in my lap. I can’t fall apart yet. I have to hold it together, my kids need me. “Mia!” Zeus yells out as he runs into the room. “She is hurt.”“But not dead,” Evie chokes out. “Colton is dead.”She said it, his mother said it first. “I’m so sorry,” Zeus closes his eyes. “He shouldn’t have been in battle, he had no business in battle,” I say not thinking. “Mommy,” Leo comes to comfort me. Adam’s big arms engulf me and the boys. “He would have done anything to keep you safe. It was his life that was required and his life that he gave,”

Amanda’s POVI’m back in my bedroom. The one I used to share with my mates. Last night I slept between Dalton and Apollo, but someone was missing. My world is incomplete and I don’t know if it will ever be complete again. I’m dressing alone while Dalton and Apollo get the boys ready. I look in the mirror and I see my marks. Colton’s is gone. I close my eyes to fight back the tears. I promised myself today I would not cry. I will be strong for Merrick. I open my eyes and take a deep breath. I think I’m okay, but I open my eyes and see the bare spot again. I can’t help it I sit in a chair and cry. “Baby,” Apollo comes in and wraps me in a hug. My Emotional Strength. I’ll never have that soft place to land. I’ll never feel that special calmness only Colton could bring. “I miss him,” I whisper. “Me too,” Apollo kisses my head. We hold each other for a long time. “It’s time,” Dalton says from the doorway. I hold Merrick’s hand on my right and Leo on my left. Given their different